Jobseekers’ Diaries: Let go at age 27, I found a job after 6 months thanks to an online contact
The writer says he kept news of his retrenchment from others as he felt embarassed about it.
As jobs are a top concern for Singaporeans in the Covid-19 crisis, TODAY’s Voices section is publishing first-hand accounts from jobseekers in which they reflect on their experiences and what keeps them going.
In this instalment of Jobseekers’ Diaries, Mr Dylan Lau Wei Jie, 28, describes his journey after he was retrenched less than two months into his new job early this year.
The start of 2020 seemed rosy for my career: At age 27, I had left my first job as a public relations (PR) manager in a facilities management firm after four years to join a PR agency, hoping to broaden my work experience.
Little did I expect just 1.5 months later, Covid-19’s economic disruptions caused me to lose my new job, as I was still on probation and did not have any key accounts.
Being jobless in such times was frightening. I did not know where to seek help and kept the news to a small circle of close friends as I felt “embarrassed” about it.
During the circuit breaker, there were hardly any replies to my job applications. For every 20 sent, I would be lucky to hear back from even one employer.
Even after I managed to secure a few interviews with the help of some friends, the worsening Covid-19 uncertainties meant frozen headcounts and me facing rejections one after another.
April to July were dark times but I knew the importance of mental health. I leaned on the support from my family and close friends to stay positive.
From online career fairs to employment coaching, I explored them all.
I was also introduced to e2i in June and was assigned to a helpful career coach, Ms Rohaida, who pointed me to some job openings.
She gave me important insights on how to improve my resume and portfolio, and helped me to identify my key strengths as well as potential interview questions. These tips helped me in preparing for job interviews.
I was open to temporary or contract roles in different industries.
I believed that with a right attitude, a temporary role could eventually lead to a full-time one.
I continued my search across every available platform on the internet - from Jobstreet, to Indeed, to Jobscentral to Snaphunt.
I also sought out new LinkedIn connections, including one working in the sports media industry. This is a sector I have always dreamt of joining given my avid interest in sports and football.
So I asked him how he started off in this industry and if he had any tips to share.
He shared his journey with me and after two months of correspondence, he sounded me out on a potential opening as a freelance digital content creator.
That was how I landed a contract position in the same sports media company as him.
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that our online chats would lead me to this opportunity, which I hope can lead to a full-time job.
I can only count my blessings for everything that led me to a contract role after searching for about six months. Since then I have also started my own online football column called DHILS Sports Chronicles.
To all the fellow job seekers out there, keep hustling, and don’t lose faith.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Dylan Lau Wei Jie, 28, lost his job as a senior client executive in a public relations agency in March and landed a contract role as a digital content creator with a sports media company in September.
If you are a jobseeker with a compelling story or know someone who wishes to contribute to this series, write to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.
